What have you done today

[2112]

Today, the penny dropped and I remembered to cancel my car insurance for a car I've not owned for over a month now! No drama and I'm getting a cheque for £75 in the post, which is nice. The crafty buggers are taking £45 as a cancellation fee though or it would have been £120... 

[Asmith61]

  indeed 2112 they are robbing bastards 

[UK_Vstrom650]

Glad you cancelled it though as you can end up liable if an insurance claim is made on an old vehicle if the insurance is still active.

Today, I filled the garage with several boxes that got delivered for some building work we have going on. Sadly it'll make it tricky to get the Strom or any bicycles out of there  for a week or so

[Brockett]

Preparing for a three night away trip. Packed, the top box which was weighed at 7kg and a small stuffer bag was duly stuffed with the overweight from the top box, and all secured and ready to go in the morning. Watched a video explaining how the Cardo should be set up. Now it is able to complete the tasks I want. Yes it was me, sitting with my helmet on and speed dialling  my mate  just say "testing testing  123". he was, as you can imagine, so thrilled. Now I have to sit and wait for tomorrow like a kid on Christmas eve. You'd think at 77 I wouldn't get so exited about a bike ride.
Do you think I should unpack everything to check that I haven't forgotten something.  

[Rusty Nuts]

Don't forget to charge the Cardo after all the testing. And make sure you've a way to charge it when you're ‘there’, wherever there turns out to be.

[2112]

Today, as it was such a glorious day up here in Northumberland, it was time for the first strim & grass cut of the year front & back. I had to give the mower a quick clean down & sharpen before I started, but it cut well for the first one of the year,. Loads of hedging, shrubs & trees to cut back too... Later.

Note the lack of a Kia EV9 on the drive, it's back with Kia for a recall and some software updates - and to get the scratch the Mrs put in it repaired. In the meantime we have a rather compact Kia EV3 as a courtesy car. It's OK but feels like a toy compared to the EV9!

[Upt North]

Went for an MOT, it passed  .
Now more water out of the waterpump weep pipe either .
The gearing is so much better with the changes made  .
All good  .
The testers place is reassuringly shabby.
Upt.

[Asmith61]

Snap 2112 I cut mine when I got home from work 

After trying to fit a dip beam bulb to my car, I  had to give up hands are to big to get in the silly little whole they give you to work in 
Even with the coolant header tank removed 
Oh and I taxed the bike as well

[2112]

Great minds etc...

[Upt North]

It's that time of blummin year innit?
Upt and mowey.

[2112]

We'll have to start posting pictures of our lawn mowers next 

[Asmith61]

 

[Asmith61]

bike tax was £121.00 …. Wow that’s gone up 

[2112]

Yes, sadly 'Aprils fools day' has brought some significant rises in tax, energy and water rate rises. I wonder who are the fools ?

[The Doctor 46]

Yesterday afternoon I took my bike into the main dealer to have the valves checked and adjusted, I wanted the engine to be stone cold when they do the job.

 I also supplied and air filter and new iridium plugs and asked that the mechanic check the plugs and if they are iridium already fitted leave them and give me back the new plugs. I read online that iridium was fitted as standard to the 2014 V-Strom 1000.

10am this morning I received a phone call from the dealer telling me that the mechanic found a slight amount of knottiness in the steering when turning lock to lock. He said it would cost £460inc VAT to replace the bearing and I would have to wait a week while they order them then fit. Strange price because that's the same as I am being charged for the valve check and adjust if necessary.

I told them to leave the bearing because I want my bike back so as to enjoy the nice weather, I'm already missing it today. I have never paid £920 all in one hit for work on my car including bearings, discs and pads. I'm sure I can find a garage to do the bearings cheaper on my bike.

Can anybody recommend a high quality bearing as I don't want to fit the same OEM one that only lasted 15,000 miles with no off road and a high quality bearing will probably cost less, though I would rather pay more if I have to for something that will last longer.

Good news is I won £400 on my premium bonds today. Money in, money out. That's life.       

[Rixington43]

That seems a bit of a crazy number for a headset bearing, even the OEM ones (which are good quality KOYO bearings) are only about £40 or £50 for the pair and it isn't what I'd call a huge job to replace them. At 15k I would want to check they didn't just need a clean and re-grease before I committed that kind of cheddar to a replacement. My OEMs lasted to 31k, although they were badgered when I removed them.
As for a replacement yourself, the factory fit ones are a good brand but they are ball bearings which will tend to make a notch at steering straight ahead, especially if they run dry.
I fitted these to mine, not super easy to get the races into the frame and getting the old race off the fork steerer was a sod.
https://huntersmotorcycles.co.uk/product/tapered-roller-steering-bearings-and-seals-kit-ab-22-1003-383

[cooltshirt]

I agree Plan A would be a clean and regrease. I haven't done this on my 650, but I have removed the fairing and forks and would reckon 2-3 hrs to do it.
Dealer prices are not cheap, but £460 ? 

[2112]

I'm a fan of taper roller bearings and have fitted a few sets over the years. Some people say they can cause slight weaving, but I've never had any issues.

[The Doctor 46]

Further to my last reference valve check. £456 inclusive, head gasket and 8 cylinder head cover washers replaced. The mechanic confirmed that the original factory fitted plugs are iridium so he checked them and put them back in and  gave me back the new ones that I supplied.

He replaced the air filter with the new one I provided. I was told that the valves were within tolerance so he checked all fluids and gave the bike a general health check and put it back together. realistically the only thing done was to clean the plugs and replace the air filter so I expected absolutely no change to it's ride but, in 1st and 2nd gear at slow speed it definitely runs smoother, it's not just my imagination. I don't understand?

So was it money well spent? I think so even though that is a lot of money and I won't be able to eat for a month or two, I now have peace of mind and the bike is definitely  running better, I even put the clock forward 1 hr when I got it back.

Rixington43, thank you for the link. My bike is 2014 and is not listed in the link but I'm sure the same company will be able to provide the right ones. Are these bearings the best I can buy or does anybody know of even better ones? Thank you for your answers in advance. 

[Rixington43]

2014 is listed, their list is super confusing so there are 3 or 4 sections of DL1000.
I think All Balls are reckoned to be pretty decent but a taper roller will last far longer than a standard ball race either way. Otherwise you'll need to know the bearing size and then hunt the usual premium brands like Koyo, Skf, fag etc.